Steelers May Need Creative Approach to Nick Herbig's Extension

Insider says Steelers may have to convince Herbig on a shorter-term deal to keep him in Pittsburgh.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 4:03pm

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are hoping to extend veteran edge rusher Nick Herbig, but insider Mark Kaboly believes the team may have to get creative in its approach to signing him to a new contract. With several players looking for extensions, the Steelers may struggle to meet Herbig's contract demands, potentially leading them to propose a shorter-term deal worth around $30 million over 2 years.

Why it matters

Herbig has been a valuable contributor to the Steelers' defense, but with the team facing multiple extension negotiations, they may have to compromise on the length and value of his new deal. This could impact Herbig's long-term security and the Steelers' ability to retain one of their promising young defensive players.

The details

Herbig has recorded 16 sacks in his 3 seasons with the Steelers, playing behind veterans T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. With Watt entering his 10th year and Highsmith nearing 29, Herbig could be viewed as the future of the edge-rush position in Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers' new regime may value him differently, and the team will have to balance Herbig's contract demands with the need to extend several other key players this offseason.

  • Herbig is not locked in beyond the 2026 season.
  • The Steelers are focused on the upcoming NFL Draft, which takes place two weeks from Friday in Pittsburgh.
  • The team will have to deal out some extensions once the draft concludes.

The players

Nick Herbig

A 24-year-old edge rusher who has been with the Steelers for 3 seasons, recording 16 sacks. He is viewed as a potential future starter for the team's defense.

T.J. Watt

A veteran edge rusher for the Steelers, entering his 10th season with the team.

Alex Highsmith

A Steelers edge rusher who is nearing his 29th birthday.

Mike Tomlin

The head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Mark Kaboly

An insider who reported on the Steelers' contract negotiations with Nick Herbig.

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What they’re saying

“Herbig seems like a slam-dunk priority on the surface, but I feel that the Steelers are going to have to convince Herbig with maybe a creative approach to a contract to be able to get it done before the start of the season…Maybe a 2-year deal worth $30 million is doable in the interim, but it might be difficult to convince Herbig to agree to that.”

— Mark Kaboly, Insider

What’s next

The Steelers will need to continue negotiations with Herbig after the NFL Draft to try and reach an agreement on a contract extension before the start of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

The Steelers' contract negotiations with Nick Herbig highlight the challenges the team faces in retaining its young talent while also managing the extensions of several key players. The team may have to get creative in its approach to Herbig's deal, potentially offering a shorter-term contract, in order to keep him in Pittsburgh.